Oregon Commission Meets August 1-2 To Set Fishing and Bird Hunting Regulations
OutdoorHub 07.29.13
The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Aug. 2 in Eugene in the West Willamette Room at the Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way in Eugene.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and the agenda is online here.
The Commission is expected to set 2013-14 Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Upland game bird hunting rules are set under a five-year framework and the only changes from last year will be calendar shifts of season dates. The Commission will also be asked to set fall turkey seasons, youth upland pheasant hunts, a new mentored-youth pheasant hunt, adult pheasant hunting workshops, and sage-grouse permit numbers.
Waterfowl are migratory birds and regulations are set in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other representatives of the Pacific Flyway. Due to the decision schedule for the flyway, some details on seasons, particularly for geese, won’t be available until just before the meeting. The following proposals for seasons are likely to be made:
- Duck season similar to last year except scaup season length and bag limits reduced to what they were in 2010 and 2011 (3 scaup, 86-day season)
- Canvasback bag limit 2 per day
- Migratory game bird possession limits increased to 3-times the daily bag limit
The Commission will be asked to reinstate the five-year review period for Oregon’s Black Bear and Cougar Management Plans, due to public request and the continued high level of interest in management of large predators.
Finally, the Commission will be asked to adopt the 2014 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. After last year’s major public process to revise the regulations, most of the changes for proposals for 2014 are relatively minor and address issues related to conservation, housekeeping or expanded fishing opportunities.
Some of the key regulations changes would:
- Expand the Willamette River sturgeon sanctuary in Oregon City an additional 6 miles from the I-205 bridge to the Lake Oswego-Oak Grove bridge.
- Open the Willamette River above the Falls to sturgeon retention.
- Close the upper Sandy River above the confluence with the Salmon River to salmon and steelhead fishing from July 1 to Aug. 31. The closure is designed to protect wild spring chinook.
Aug. 1 tour of McKenzie River Hatchery, Bowtech Archery
The public is also welcome to join Commissioners on a tour on Thursday, Aug. 1. The day will begin with a tour of McKenzie River Hatchery, discussion of various fish management and research issues (also at the hatchery), followed by lunch at the hatchery. That afternoon, Commissioners will visit Bowtech Archery for a crossbow/archery demonstration. Anyone who joins the tour must provide their own transportation and lunch. Meet at the Valley River Inn no later than 8 a.m. to join the tour, or be at the McKenzie River Hatchery (43863 Greer Drive, Leaburg,) by 8:45 a.m. or Bowtech Archery (90554 OR-N, Eugene) by 1 p.m.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly.
Public testimony for issues not on the formal agenda will be held Friday morning immediately following the expenditure report. Persons seeking to testify on such issues may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW Director’s Office, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
